corbett



(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. & E. R. CORBETT.

ENVELOPE MACHINE.

l I I a f i l ab-Q1 A TTbRNE'YS ruz'uoams Perms co. FHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON n c.

1 (No Model.)

, 10 Sheets-Sheet J. 85 E. R. GORBETT.

ENVELOPE MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 4, 1894.

WITNESSES IN VENTURE mgazxm 4 6M ATTORNEYS n4: gaming mus ca. PnoTau'rHQ. wnsmps'ruu. 0. cv

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet s.

. J. & E. R. CORBETT.

ENVELOPE MACHINE.

A TTOHNEYS (No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 5.

J. & E. R. GORBETT. ENVELOPE MACHINE.

No. 525,536. Patented Sept. 4; 1894.

/ N VE N T095 WITNESSES 1m: nouns pc'rzns w, moroumm msmmwn. or c.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets8heet 6. J. & E. R. CORBETT.

ENVELOPE MACHINE.

No. 525,536. Patented Sept.- 4, 1894.

IN VENTORJ WITNESSES: M%au A TTOHNEYS 1n: uGmuS rtrgngw. woroumm wAsmNr-Tc (No Model.)

10 Sheets-Sheet 7. J. & B; R. GORBETT.

ENVELOPE MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 4, 1894.

WITNESSES: Mm I //v VENTOHJ' /fif a? M A from/is (No Model.) l0 Sheets-Sheet J. 8t E. R. CORBETT.

ENVELOPE MACHINE.

No. 525,535. Patented Se t. 4, 1894.

m I L 1'1 t J 'lri ITNESSES HVVENTORS A TTOHNE YS THE wan s PETERS c6. mmauruoi, WLSNINGTON, at c.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets--Sheet 9. J. 8: E. R. GORBETT.

ENVELOPE MACHINE.

No. 525,536. Patented Sept. 4, 1894.

7 i ll I "-l 7 O T, I 1 h 1'" II-Ill BY ATTORNEYS THE your mERs 00 PNbTO-UYHO WASHINGTON, 01c.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 10.

J. & E. R. CORBETT. ENVELOPE MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 4, 1894.

W/ TNE SSE S UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH OORBETT AND EDWIN R. OORBETT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO THOMAS F. SHAW, OF SAME PLACE.

. ENVELOPE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 525,536, dated September 4, 1894.

Application filed February 8, 1892. Serial No. 420,586. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH OOBBETT and EDWIN R. CORBETT, citizens of the United States, residing in the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelope-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improve- The invention consists of an envelope-ma chine, which comprises, first, a recessed blankfeeding table on which the pile of blanks is placed and retained by adjustable gages, said table being gradually raised by suitable mechanism, so as to supply the blanks to the mucilage-pads; secondly, a vertically-reciprocating frame to which the mucilage-pads are applied, the adjustable sides of said pads being supplied with mucilage by horizontallyreciprocating rollers which form intermittent contact with rollers in mucilage-fountains;

thirdly, a stripper which is also provided with adj ustable sections by which the gummed blanks are removed from the mucilage-pads and dropped on to a horizontally-reciprocating and adjustable carrier that transfers the blanks to the creasing-mechanism, so that the plunger on being lowered into the box, creases the flaps of the blanks, the box and plunger of the creasing-mechanismbeing likewise adj ustable, so as to provide for the diiferent sizes of envelopes to be made on the machine; fourthly, hinged folding-flaps that are arranged vertically below the creasing-mechanism and to which the creased blanks are transmitted by the plunger, so that the flaps are successively folded, the upper sealing-flap being prevented from being sealed by a suit-p able presser-frame on the folding flap ofthe lower sealing flap; fifthly, a tilting platform and pusher-arm by which the envelope is transmitted to the drying-reel; sixthly, a drying-reel which is formed of ring-shaped frames 5 and pivoted arms that are retained in radial position by means of raised flanges on the stationary supporting rings of the reel, said reel being' guided on said supporting-rings and intermittently moved forward by a suitable pawl and ratchet-mechanism; seventhly, pivoted arms and wire-rings supported in eyes of said arms, said wire-rings being adjusted concentrically to the drying'reel, so as to adapt the same for receiving envelopes of any bunching-reel, t0 the jaws of which the envelopes are successively fed so as to be bunched, said reel being intermittently r0- tated by suitable mechanism; lastly, actuating-mechanisms by which the difierent working'parts of the machine are actuated by the cams on a rotating cam-shaft, as will be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side-elevation of my improved 8o envelope-machine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, some parts being in section. Fig. 3 is a plan-viewof the machine. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section of the upper partof the machine on line 4 4, Fig. 3 showing the parts supported above the bed-plate, said fignre being drawn on a larger scale. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on line 5 5, Fig.4, showing the mucilage-pads, stripper, carrier-and creasing-mechanism in plan-view. Fig. 5 is a detailsection showing the connection of the adjustable carrier-rods with the transverse rods by which motion is imparted to the same. Fig. 6 is a plan-view of the bed-plate and the parts supported on the same, partly 5 in horizontal section on line 6 6, Fig. 4. Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a side-elevation and a vertical transverse-section on line 8 8, Fig. -7, showing the lower folding-flap with its extensible prcsser-frame. Fig.9 is a detail IOO rear-elevation of the triangular main-plate of the lower folding-flap. Figs. 10 and 11 represent a rear elevation and a vertical transverse-section, on line 11 11, Fig. 10, of one of the folding-flaps for folding the flaps of the blank. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section on line 12 12, Fig. 1, partly in section, showing a plan-view of the drying-reel and the bunching-reel. Fig. 12 is a detail section of the guide-frame of the pusher-rods. Fig. 13 is a vertical transverse-section, on line 13 13, Fig. 12, showing the drying-reel and its actuating mechanism. Fig. 14 is a side-elevation, partly in section on line 14, Fig. 13, of a portion of the drying-reel and its adjustable wire-rings by which the reel is adapted to receive envelopes of difierent sizes. Fig. 14 is a detail side-view showing the mechanism for adjusting the arms of the extension-wires of the drying reel. Figs. 15 and 16 are details of the mechanism by which intermittent rotary motion is transmitted to the bunching-reel and the oscillating plate of the same. Fig. 17 is a side-elevation, partly in section, on a larger scale, showing the bunching-reel and its oscillating plate; and Fig. 18 is a detail side-elevation of a portion of the bunching-reel, showing the spring-cushioned jaws of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My improved envelope-machine is arranged for supplying from a gradually-rising blankfeeding table a blank of any suitable size to the descending mucilage-pads, the blank being transferred from the pads by a stripper to a horizontally-reciprocating carrier and by the latter to a creasing-mechanism for creasing, from which it is transferred to the folding-flaps for folding and sealing. The en-.

velopes are then transmitted to an intermittently rotating drying-reel and from the same by a horizontally-reciprocating pusher to the bunching-reel, in which bunches of twentyfive envelopes each may be formed and fastened by a band and then removed from the reel.

For carrying on the different operations described until a bunch of finished envelopes is produced from the blanks, the following mainparts are used, namely a table A for the blanks, mucilage-pads B, a stripper O, a horizontally-reciprocating carrier D, a creasingb'ox G, a plunger G for said box, hinged folding-fiaps H H, a tilting platform P, a dryingreel I, a reciprocating-pusher K and a bunching-reel R. All the parts described are supported by a lower frame F, a bed-plate F and an upper frame F and receive their motion from cams on a cam-shaft S that is supported in bearings of the upper supportingfraine F as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, in which the relative disposition of the different operative parts is shown.

The blank-feeding tabla-The blank-feeding table A is made of a size and shape corresponding to the largest blank that can be made into an envelope by the machine, as shown in plan-view in Fig. 6, said table being provided with four inwardly-extending re-. cesses a for four gages a, the rear-gag of which are provided with slotted shanks 8', while the front gages are pivoted at M outer ends to slotted plates a and adjmfl by the same in forward or backward M tion to the size of the blanks. The was gages a are secured by thumbserews atotl plates (1 and can be moved sidewise on ma pivots, as indicated by the arrows in so as to be out of the way when anew pile blanks is to be placed on the table A. The front' and rear-gages a serve to retain blanks in position on the table A, they being adapted to bear onto the apices of theobtus' angles formed by the flaps of the blank. The ends of the gages a are made V-shaped adapted to press on the sides of'a pile d blanks, said gages entering into the ram, a on adjusting their shanks when blank 4';

,smaller sizes are placed on the table.

slotted plates a of the front-gages a and slotted shanks of the rear-gages a tained in position in the bed-plate F by: screws a". Besides the four gages amm auxiliary gages a, are arranged, which provided with angular faces, and which 0*! to press on the'top of the pile of blank! a the outer ends of the same, as shown hall- 4 and 6. The angular gages a? are prom: with slotted shanks a and are secnrod'g by thumb-screws a in the same manner'uth, plates a and rear-gages a. The which; supported on two threaded pillars A, I? pass through openings of the bed-plate which are engaged by the interiorly-thm hubs of two gear-wheels a" that are equal size and engaged by a larger in! diate gear-wheel a by which motion mitted from one gear-wheel to the Ofllflgi-Q? that both gear-wheels a are turned at.. same time and thereby the table g raised. Motion is transmitted to one 0!" gear-wheels a, from a rock-shaft S a supported in suitable bearings of the frame F, said rock-shaft S passing t the ring-shaped frames of the dryin and being provided with an upwa ly tending arm (1 the forked upper end of engages an oscillating arm a" which i5 1 oted to the under side of the bed-plat. as shown in Fig. 6. To the arm a is pi the shank of a pawl a which engagQ -M teeth of one of the gear-wheels ahwhicW wheel is engaged by a pivoted and actuated check-pawl a that is appli pin of the bed-frame. At each oscillating the rock-shaft S, the gear-wheel a is for the required distance by its pawl a,- motion is transmitted by the gear-wheel the second gear-wheel a", and from the to the pillars of the table A,so that the is gradually raised for feeding one blank the other to the vertically-reciprocatingcilage-pads. \Vhen all the blanks are up by the mucilage-pads and fed to the parts of the envelope-machine, a new i blanks is placed on the table. Before doing this the machine is stopped and the table A returned to its former position. This is accomplished by providing the gear-wheel a with a handle 01. at its under side, so that the same can be turned by hand in an opposite direction to the motion which is imparted to it by the mechanism before described. The pawl a is released during the return-motion of the gear-wheel a from the gear-wheel a by means of a slide-piece a, which is taken hold of at its front end, its rear end being provided with pins 0, which engage an inclined portion of the shank of the pawl and withdraw the same from the teeth of the gearwheel a when the slide-piece 0L is drawn in forward direction. At the same time a laterally-extending arm 11 of the slide-piece a engages by a pin a on the same the checkpawl a and releases the same from the teeth of the gearwheel a during the return-motion of the table. The front-gages are then moved sidewise, so that the next pile of blanks can he placed on the table. The front-gages are then replaced in position and the operation of the machine is continued.

The muciZage-pads.-The mucilage-pads B are supported on a frame which is formed of longer main-pieces B and slotted transverse arms I), which latter are attached at their cen ters to supporting-rods b that are guided in sleeves of a transverse top-bar f of the upper supporting-frame F as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The transverse arms b support in their slotted parts the adjustable main-pieces B by means of set-screws b each main-piece being formed of a V-shaped middle portion and straight ends and composed of two semi-sections which are pivoted together at the apex of the V-shaped portion, as shown clearly in Fig. 6. The mucilage-pads B are applied to the under side of the legs of the V-shaped portions of the main-pieces B and are either made of rubber or other suitable material, or

made integral with the legs of the V-shaped portions, as desired. The mucilage is supplied to the pads B by means of two rollers b which rollers are supported in downward lyextending arms I) at the outer ends of a reciprocating-frame b and adapted to rotate in contact with rollers b that are located in the mucilage-fountains 5 which are supported by downwardly-extending arms I) and are at tached to longitudinal bars f of the upper supporting-frame F as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. Rotary motion is imparted to the rollers 12 which turn in bearings of the fountains b by means of a longitudinal belt 19* that passes over pulleys at one end on the rollers 12 and over guide-pulleys supported near one end of the fountains b and on an upright standard f that is attached to the transverse top-bar f of the supporting-frame F and also over a driving-pulley on the camshaft S, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. The rotating-rollers b take up the mucilage from the, fountains b and transmit the same to the transferring-rollers b when the latter are rotated in contact therewith. As soon as the transferring-rollers b have taken up the mucilage from the rollers b they are moved in opposite direction to each other over the under side of the pads B, so as to supply the required quantity of mucilage to the same. The supporting-frames b of the transferringrollers b are reciprocated in opposite direction to each other at the proper moment by the cam-groove of a cam b on the cam-shaft S, which cam engages an anti-friction-roller of a transmitting-lever b that is guided by its upper slotted end on the cam-shaft, as shown in Fig. 4, the front-end of the same being pivoted to the upper end of an oscillating arm o which is again connected by a pivot-rod Z9 with a second oscillating arm I), which arms I) are supported in lugs of the longitudinal bars f The lower ends of the arms I) are connected by pivot-links 12 with the horizontallyreciprocating frames 6 of the transferring-rollers b, as shown in Fig. 4. The guides for the reciprocating frame I) are recessed, so as to permit the passing of the connecting pivots of the links I), as shown in Fig. 4. By the transmitting mechanism described the transferring-rollers b are simultaneously reciprocated, but in opposite direction to each other, whereby the simultaneous supply of mucilage of the front and rear pads is produced. Assoon as the pads B have received the required supply of mucilage they are moved with their supporting-frame B bin downward direction, which motion is accom- IOC plished by means of a forked lever b which is fulcrumed at Z9 the rear-end of the lever Z9 being provided with an anti-friction roller that is engaged by a cam-groove of the cam I), as shown in Fig. 4, while the front ends of the forked lever b are slotted and adapted to engage pins b" on the guide-rods b of the pad-supporting frame B b. The motion of the actuating-cam b is so timed that the downward motion of the mucilage-pads commences as soon as the mucilage is supplied to the same and the transferring-rollers b are moved out of the vertical path of the same.

The length of the forked transmitting-lever Z7 and the length of the supporting guiderods b are so proportioned that the mucilagepads descend far enough so as to form contact with the uppermost blank on the table A, which is slipped away from the auxiliary gages a and raised with the pad-supporting frame, the upward motion being interrupted when the same arrives at a short distance below the stripper C. When the pad-supporting frame B b is in this position the horizontally-reciprocating carrier D is moved forward below the blank. The carrier D is guided in fixed ways at d that are arranged at the inner side of the side-rails of the box G of the creasing-mechanism, the carrier being composed of two parallel rods that are connected at their rear-parts by a transverse bar d, which is provided with sleeves 1 and set-screws 62 said sleeves having dovetailed lugs (Z on which the grooved parallel bars of the carrier are adjusted by suitable set-screws (1 so that the bars of the carrier D can be adjusted forward 5 or backward, according to the size of the blanks. The front-end of each parallel bar of the carrier D is provided with an upwardlybent lip or hook d by which the blank is taken hold of so as to be moved in backward direction and be placed under the plunger of the creasing-mechanism. The reciprocatingmotion of the carrier D is produced by means of levers d that are slotted at their lower ends so as to engage the rods d of the carrier, said levers being pivoted at their upper ends to brackets d of the supporting-frame F and actuated by a cam b on the cam-shaft S, the groove of which engages an anti-friction roller on the upper end of an arm d that is attached to the pivot-shaft of the levers d, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to impart the proper motion to the carrier D.' As soon as the carrier D arrives below the blank supported on the mucilage-pads B, the upward-motion of the padsupporting frame is continued by the motiontransmitting mechanism of the same and thereby the blank transferred by the stripper O to the carrier D. The carrier D is then moved backward until the blank arrives above the box G of the creasing-mechanism.

The stripping deoice.-The stripper O is shown clearly in Figs. 1, 4: and 5 and is composed of a central plate or web 0 which isrigidly supported by a rod 0 by the transverse bar f of the upper supporting-frame F On the web 0 are supported four slotted parallel strips 0 which are secured to the web 0 by set-screws, as shown in Fig. 5. To the front-ends of one pair of strips C and the rear-ends of the'other pair of strips 0 are pivoted the stripper-bars O O proper, which are of V-shape and made of two sections each of which are pivoted together at their apex so as to be adjusted by the slotted strips to the size of blank and by the pivot-connection of the stripper-bars G to the exact shape of the flaps of the blank, said stripper-bars being adjusted close to, inside of and parallel with the V-shaped portions of the padsupporting frame B b, as shown in Fig. 5.

The creasing mechanism.The creasingmechanism is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and consists of a box G, the transverse rails of which are supported on horizontal rails g that are attached to upright pillars g of the bed-plate F. The stationary rails g are provided with longitudinal slots g in which the transverse side-rails g are guided and secured by set-screws g the side rails being 60 likewise slotted for guiding the longitudinal side-rails g of the box G. The side-rails g are also slotted and adjusted on the slotted rails g by set-screws 9 By means of the slots and set-screws the side-rails of the creasing-box can be adj ustedin a longitudinal and 'tion at right-angles to the body of the I wise formed of adjustable and extensibletions which are composed of an inner mum able frame the guide-rods of whicham Y cured by set-screws inthe keepers g' on center-portion or web 9 that is rigi plied to the shank G of the plunger, al. clearly in Fig. 5. The side-rails of the ger G are each composed of two sloth}! tensible plates 9 which are secured screws to the inner frame 9'' and the edges of which are in line with each so that the plunger G can be adjusted rately to the interior of the creasing- When the blank is transferred to the ing-box by the carrier D, the plunger scends and imparts a creasing-action flaps of the blank by bending them 1% We do not claim in this application the en. struction of the creasing-mechanism, ll same is fully described and claimed in ters Patent granted to Joseph Corbett 472,253, dated April 5, 1892, to which ence is herewith made. The shank G? I plunger G is guided in a sleeve of a l bar f of the upper supporting-frame I; tically-reciprocating motion beingi to the same by a cam g on the camwhich cam engages an anti-friction a lever g, which is pivoted at its rear-oil. a supporting-bracket 9 of the frame I which is connected at its slotted front a set-screw g with a slotted arm g pivoted at its front-end to a fixed sup I-v arm g attached to the bar f and e0 by its upper slotted end with an anti roller that is set into a recess at the. end of the shank G As soon as the is transferred by the carrier to the s 1 box, the plunger descends so as to ore blank at the points where the flaps are formed, the plunger carrying then the N blank in downward direction below the ing-box until the same arrives on, the plate F between the vertical foldin The plunger is then raised again and into its normal position above the c box G, the creased blank being ret the folding-flaps, so that the same can the same.

The folding-flaps-The foldingshown in Figs. 4:, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and H m supported on U-shaped hangers h,w secured to the under-sides of the and longitudinal side-rails g and g'" i creasing-box, so that the hangers are with said rails to the exact size of the ope to be produced. The lower end! U shaped hangers h are on rved and with eyes or bearings for the pintles l0; folding-flaps H, said pintles passing ears h at the rear edges of the flaps RI ears h extend at an upward angle 0! tion to the flaps and are pivoted at per ends to connecting-rods h, the ends of which are connected with lateral direction, according to the size of the envelope to be made. The plunger G islikestraps h and adjusted on the same to sitions to which the flaps are adjusted with the side-rails of the creasing-box. The outer ends of the straps h of two opposite flaps H are swiveled to fulcrumed elbow-levers h, the opposite arms of which are connected by levers 72. that are fulcru med to the upright sidestandards of the frame F with grooved cams h on the cam-shaft S. The straps k of the other two flaps H are directly connected to fulcrumed levers 71 as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. Each folding-flap H is provided with its own adjustable motion transmitting-mechanism that is actuated by the cam 71 which cams 72 are arranged in pairs, one pair near each end of the cam-shaft S, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the motion imparted by said cams to the transmitting mechan sms being so timed that the folding-action of the flaps H takes place successively one after the other as soon as the blank is delivered to the flaps by the plunger G. For this purpose the flap at one end of the blank is first folded, then the opposite end-flap, then the lower summed flap and finally the upper sealing-flap. For the purpose of securing the adhesion of the lower gummed flap and preventing the adhesion of the upper sealing flap, the folding flap H for the lower gumined flap of the blank is provided with a presser frame H that is shown in full lines in Figs. 6 and 8 and in dotted lines in Fig. 7, said presser-frame being composed of fourslotted extensible pieces h 71 of which the two outer pieces h are pivoted together at their ends, while the two inner pieces h are connected by set-screws h to the outer pieces h and by set-screws h to the flap H, so that they can be adjusted to the exact size of the flap to be folded and pressed down over the end-flap of the blank. The flap H is provided with two pairs of threaded holes h for the set screws h of the inner pieces 71*, the lower holes serving for adjusting the inner pieces of the presserframe H on the flap H, so as to adjust the outer pieces h within a determined distance from the flap H, while the upper holes serve for adjusting the same pieces h of the presserframe H on the flap H so as to set the outer pieces h at a greater distance from the same,

as required by the size of the envelope. The

extreme outermost position of the outer pieces h for the largest size of envelope that can be made on the machine is shown in dotted line in Fig. 7 and in full lines in Fig. 8. When the flap H of the presser-frame H isin vertical position, the faces of the outer pieces h are in line with the under side of the flap and with the inner edge of the corresponding siderail of the creasing box G, as shown in Fig. 8, while the faces of the remaining flaps H are in line with the inner edges of the rails of the creasing-box G, as shown in Fig. 11, so that the creased blank when it is passed downward by the plunger along the faces of the flaps is not obstructed in its downward motion, but guided along the same, so that when the blank arrives on the bedplate F, the flaps of the blank are ready for the action of the folding flaps H. The flaps H by which the end'flaps and the sealing-flap of the blank are folded are provided with extensible auxiliary sections H which are inserted by their square shank h into corresponding sockets h arranged at the rear-parts of the flaps H, said shanks being secured in position by set-screws h. The upper corners of the auxiliary flaps H are out off, so as to form inclined edges. 7 The auxiliary flaps H serve practically as extensions of the main-flaps, so that the flaps H H can be adjusted for any suitable size of blank. The presser-frame H holds the lower gummed flap of the blank in position, so that it seals the same to the end-flaps. It also prevents the sealing of the upper flap of the envelope, as the sealing-flap is prevented by the thickness of the outer pieces h of the presser-frame from adhering to the end-flaps, notwithstanding the folding-action of its flap H on the sealing-flap of the envelope.

The tilting platform-When the folding of the flaps of the blanks and the seal ng of the lower gummed flaps to the end-flaps is accom: plished, or in other words, the blank changed into an envelope, the envelope is passed along a tilting platform P, which is arranged in the bedplate F and hinged at one end to the same, to the space between two arms of the drying-reel I. To the under side of the tilting platform P is applied an inclined and backwardly-extending arm P, which has an arc-shaped portion P at its outer end, which passes through a slot 1) in the bed-plate F. The arm P is adjusted along the under side of the platform P by means of a slot and setscrew 10 so that the end of the curved portion P can strike the envelope, whatever be its size, so as to lift the same and cause it to slide down over the tilting platform P. The platform P and its arm P is shown in full lines in Fig. 4 and in dropped position in Fig. 1. The mechanism for dropping the plat- "form P at the proper time is composed of a cam 19 on the cam-shaft S, the cam-groove of which engages an. anti-friction roller at the end of an elbow-lever 19 which is fulcrumed to a bracket 10 of the upper supporting-frame F The lower end of the elbow-lever p is connected by a pivot-rod 10 with lugs 19 at the under side of the platform P, as shown in Fig. 4.. As soon as the folding-flaps have completed the folding operation, the platform is tilted, the curved arm P lifted above the bedplate, the envelope raised into inclined position and then slid in downward direction along the inclined platform P and deposited between two arms of the drying-reel I, as shown in Fig. 1.

The drying-reeL-The drying-reel I is supported below the bed-frame F onstationary rings I of the lower supporting-frame F. It is shown clearly in Figs. 1, 12, 13 andlat'and is composed of two ring-shaped frames 2' which are guided on anti-friction rollers of the stationary rings I, which are provided at their outer circumference with inwardly-projectlng flanges c" that extend toward the ringshaped frames i. To the circumference of the ring-shaped main-frames i are pivoted the inner ends of U-shaped wire-arms i said nner ends being arranged at an obtuse angle to the main-portions of the arms 2' as shown In Fig. 14 and bent outwardly over the flanges c at their ends, as shown in Fig. 13. Theinner outwardly-bent ends of the arms 2' move along the flanges i of the fixed frames '5 and are thereby kept by said flanges in contact with fixed st0p-pins 11 which are attached to the frames 2', so that the wire-arms i are firmly -held in radial position on the ringshaped frames 2', as shown in Figs. 1 and 14, the flanges i acting in the nature of a cam on the lnner ends of the wire-arms 11 of the drylng reel I. The flanges 71' are not extended entlrely around the circumference of the stationary rings 1, but are omitted for some distance at the vupper partitions of the same, so that when the arms 2' arrive at the open portions, the inner ends of the same are released from the flanges and the arms dropped out of their radial position to the frames 1', as shown in Figs. 1 and 14. When the arms z' approach the point where the folded envelope is dropped from the inclined platform P, the inner ends of the arms are engaged by the flanges 71 The adjacent arms of the reel I form at the point where the arms are engaged by the flanges 7/ a larger space so as to secure the delivery of the envelope to the arms. As soon as the envelope is delivered to the larger space between two adjacent arms 2' at the u pper part of the reel I, the inner ends of the loose arm 2' is re-engaged by the flanges i and moved up against the stop-pins i so as to lock the arm 71 firmly into a radial position to the ring-framed and support the envelope 1n position, which is then moved forward by the reel. As the spaces between the wirearms are thus supplied one after the other with an envelope, they are moved by the'intermittent or step-by-step rotary-motion which is imparted by suitable transmitting mechanism from the cam-shaft S to the reel. The stationary rings 1' are attached to bent arms f of the lower supporting-frame F, as shown clearly in Fig. 12, while the movable ring-frames t' are provided inside of the flanges 2' with ratchet-teeth '5 which are engaged by pawls i that are applied to the inner ends of fulcrumed levers 11 the outer ends of which are provided with anti-friction rollers that are engaged by forked ends of arms 2' attached to the rock-shaft S that is supported in bearings of fixed brackets 2' which are attached to the sta' tionary rings 1', as shown clearly in Fig. 13. Oscillating-motion is imparted to the rockshaft S by means of a lever 2' which is fulcrumed to the upper supporting-frame F and engaged at its upper end by the cam-groove of a cam '5 on the cam-shaft S, as shown in Fig. 1. The lower portion of the fulcrumed lever 45 is connected by a pivot 71 with an arm 2' that is applied to the end of the rock-shaft 8'. The oscillating-motion of the rock-shaft S imparts by the intermediate mechanism described'an intermittent rotary step-bymp motion to the drying-reel around the stationary ring-frames t" and subjects thereby the envelopes supported between the arms of the reel to a dryingaction, while the reel is ,1; moved through the greater part of its rotation. As it is necessary to adjust the for envelopes of dilferent sizes, the dryingreel is'provided with ring-shaped extensiduwires 1 which are supported in eyes at the l; outer ends of curved arms 1 that are piv: oted at their inner ends to the ring-frames s.

A ring-shaped extension-wire I is arranged along one side of the radial wire-arms t while the other extension-wire is located near 81 the other side of the wire-arms 1?, as shown in Fig. 13. The ring-shaped extension-wires I are preferably made of two sections, which overlap each other to some extent, as shown in Fig. 14, each section being supported by 91 three or more arms I which are adjusted simultaneously by means of connecting-r0681; which are located inside the circumference of the ring-frames i and by providing the inner end of one of the supporting-arms I of each semi-section of the extension-wire with a plate 1' provided with'an arc-shaped slot 11 and'a set-screw 11 by which the poflition of the curved arms 1 is adjusted and thereby the extension-wires I supported at: greater or smallerrdistance from the ringframes 2', as shown in Fig. 14. The overlap ping ends of the extension-wires P serve 50.! providing the extra-length necessary when they are adjusted at a greater distance from the ring-frames i, which adjustment is quired when envelopes of smaller size made on the machine, as shown in dotted 1am in Fig. 13. When envelopes of large size. made, the extension-wires P are not used in their extended position and are then folded alongside of the ring-frames 1' within the'oircumference of the same by placing the arms I also alongside of said frames and fasfloning the set-screws 1' so as to retain the mm and extension-wires firmly in position along: side of the ring-frames 1'. Below the dryingreel I is supported on a frame F a semi-circular guide-shell I, along which the envelopes are moved by the arms of the reel until they arrive at the front-part of the machine where they are delivered successively (roll the wire-arms '2? of the reel by the hot-tiontally-reciprocating pusher K to the holdingjaws of the bunching-reel.

The reciprocating pusher.-The horimlr' tally-reciprocating pusher K is supported It the outer ends of parallel guide-rods K which are guided in holes of a fixed supportingframe K that is located in the space between the stationary and movable ring-frames I'aud of the drying-reel, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The rear-ends of the guide-rods K'are curved in downward and forward direction so as to extend below the frame K and are connected by a transverse-piece K which is provided at its center with a downwardlyprojecting pin K that is engaged by the forked inner end of the fulcrumed lever K the outer end of which is provided with an anti-friction roller. The fulcrum of the lever K is supported on a horizontal bracket K attached to the bent straps f of the lower supporting-frame F. The outer end of the fulcrumed lever K is engaged by the forked lower end of the fulcrumed motion-transmitting levert'", so that by the oscillating motion of the leverz' a corresponding oscillating-motion is imparted to the fulorumed lever K To provide for the free unrestrained oscillating-motion of the lever K the lower forked end of the lever i is provided with a freelyturning rod 2' which is supported in bracketbearings of the lever 2', as shown in Figs. 1, 12 and 13, so that the lower forked end of the rod 2' can freely turn on its axis and give sufficiently to provide for the transmission of motion from the vertically-oscillating lever 11 to the horizontally-oscillating lever K The inner arm of the fulcrumed lever K is made considerably longer than the outer arm of the same, so that the pusher K is moved for the distance necessary for the transferring of the envelopes from the arms 2' of the reel I onto the fixed horizontal bracket-plate L and the holding-jaws of the bunching-reel, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12, in which figure the position of the envelope is shown in dotted lines as the same is supported on the arm of the drying-reel and the position of the envelope when the same is delivered onto the bracket-plate L, ready to be taken up by the holding jaws of the bunchingreel. The pusher requires no adjustment, as it moves forward any size of envelope from the arms of the drying-reel onto the bracket-plate which is located in line with the horizontal axes of the drying and bunching reels. The bracketplate L is supported by a bent bracket-arm f which is attached to the lefthand strap f of the supporting-frame A. An angular gage L is also attached to the bracket-arm f by means of set-screws f which engage the inner end of the gage L and pass through a slot f of the bracket-arm f so as to permit the adjustment of the gage L to the required size of envelope.

The bunching-reeL-The bunching-reel R is arranged at the front part of the machine, at right-angles to and at one side of the longitudinal axis of the same. It is shown in front-elevation in Fig. 1, in plan-view in Fig. 12 and in detail in Figs. 17 and 18. The bunching-reel is composed of two disks 1 '1" which turn loosely by means of a transverse hub r on a fixed shaft r that is attached to one of the bracketstraps f on the supporting-frame F. To the disks r r are pivoted U-shapod arms T which are bent at their inner ends at right-angles to the main-parts of the arms and provided at their outer ends with rectangular plates or-jaws 7 Each jaw r is provided with a recess r that extends from" the outer edge inwardly and with a keeper 0 which extends transversely across said recess at the under side of the aw 7*, so that a projecting latch r that is attached to the under side of the fixed bracket-plate L can enter into the keeper T when the aw r is on a level with the bracket-plate L, as shown in Figs. 12 and 17. The L-shaped 1nner ends, of the U-shaped supporting-arms?" are acted upon by V-springs T which press the inner ends of the arms 7* against stoppins r and hold them in normal position on the disks 7 0" so as to extend radially therefrom. To the outer side of the disk 1' are rigidly attached radial arms 7" which carry at their outer ends rectangular plates or aws a which in connection with the jaws r serve to hold the bunches of envelopes after each pair of jaws r r is supplied with the required number of envelopes. The aws?" are also provided with recesses 1' in line with the recesses 1 of the jaws r and the latch 0*, so that the jaws r can pass the latch without being stopped by thesame. To the outerend of the fixed shaft r is applied an oscillatingplate R; which is clearly shown in Fig. 2 and which is provided at its outer end wlth a downwardlyextendingarc-shaped portion R said outer end projecting into a recess 1 of the bracket-plate L. 'Theoscillating-plate R R is preferably provided at that part which is adjacent to the jaws of the bunching-reel with a rectangular ofiset, R as shown in Fig. 12, so as to move readily past the aws. The oscillating-plate R R is connected by a pivot-rod r with a bent fulcrumed lever 1' that is clearly shown in Fig. 1, said lever being fulcrumed to one of the bracket-straps f of the supporting-frame F and provided With a rounded-off inner end or heel which is acted upon by a toe r that is attached to the oscillating lever K as shown. clearly in Figs. 12 and 15. When the toe r acts on the heelend of the lever r the latter is moved in downward direction against-the tension of the spring 7", shown in Fig. 1, which spring is attached to the lever W? and to a fixed point on the bracket-strap f so'that the outer end of the lever r is lowered and thereby the oscillating-plate R also lowered below the level of the bracket-plate L. This lowering action takes place when the pusherK is commencing to move the envelope over the bracketplate L, so that the plate It is out of the way of the envelope, when the same can be pushed forward over the bracket-plate L against the gage L. As soon as the envelope arrives in this position, the toe 1' releases the heel-end of the lever r, so that the outer end of the lever r is lifted again by the spring T, which lifts thereby the oscillatingplate R above the level of the bracket-plate L and presses it against the under side of the envelope just fed over the bracket-plate L. As the jaw r is during this time on a level with the bracket-plate L, the pusher K moves the envelope over the bracket-plate and jaw, the envelope being then lifted by the edge of the vertically-oscillating plate R and pressed againstthe other jaw r of the pair. When the next envelope is pushed forward, the same is moved over the bracket-plate L, and as it approaches the oscillating-plate R the same descends and permits the continuous forward motion of the envelope until it arrives at the gage L. This envelope is then taken up by the oscillating-plate R on the return-motion of the same and pressed against the aw T and so on. When five envelopes are thus fed in succession, one below the other, to the bracket-plate and taken up between the holding-jaws, the bunching-reel R is rotated on its axis for a short distance, which is accomplished by the action of a pawl 0 that is applied to the outer end of a fulcrumed lever 1", the inner end of which is engaged by the teeth of a spur-wheel T, which is clearly shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The pawl 'r engages pins or teeth r which are arranged in groups of five teeth each on the inner face of the disk 0 as shown clearly in Fig. 17, the distance between the teeth being so proportioned that five envelopes can be fed from the drying-reel to the space between each pair of holding-jaws before the next motion of the bunching reel R takes place. Rotary motion is imparted to the lever-actuating spur-wheel r by means of a ratchet-wheel T which is keyed to the shaft of the spurwheel 4 by a spring-actuated pawl r which is applied to the toe r on the oscillating-lever K as shown in Fig: 15. Intermediately between the ratchet-wheel r and the spurwheel 0 is arranged a smaller ratchet-wheel T which is engaged by a check-pawl 4", said intermediate ratchet-wheel having the same number of teeth as the main ratchet-wheel T and serving in connection with the checkpawl to prevent the ratchet-wheel r from moving in the opposite direction. The main ratchet-wheel r is provided with one tooth of greater width which is arranged in such a relative position to a longer spur-tooth of the spur-wheel r that when the pawl r engages the wider tooth 4- of the ratchet-wheel W, the longer spur of the spur-wheel r engages the lever r and moves the pawl at the outer end of the same to a'greater distance, so that the greater space between the two adjoining groups of teeth r is overcome and thereby the bunching-reel moved for this distance, so as to place the spring-actuated jaw of the next pair of holding-jaws on a level with the bracket-plate L and into locking-action therewith. This greater motion is imparted to the bunching-reel when twenty-five envelopes in succession are fed 'to the holding-jaws, or, in other words, when one group of teeth on the disk r was engaged in succession by the actuating-pawl r". By the co-operation of the wider tooth of the ratchet-wheel r and the longer spur of the spur-wheel r, the lever r and pawl r", the bunching-reel R is moved sufficiently so that the pawl r" can at the not! motion of the lever "r engage the first tooth of the next group of teeth, and so on. Thism; motion imparted to the reel R also sem bring the next set of holding-jaws into proper relative position to the fixed bracket-plateL and the vertically oscillating plate R. i this is accomplished, the supply of envelope! to the next pair of holding-jaws takes place in the manner before described, until gradual]! one pair of holding-jaws after the otherjo gradually supplied with a bunch of twentyfive envelopes. As a pair of jaws'rr leceives gradually its full complement of llvelopes, the inner L-shaped end of the an porting-arm r of the jaw r is pressed by intermittently-advancing motion of the r against its spring 4*, so as to gradllilll, shift the position of the arm away from stoppin r which motion is so timed when twenty-five envelopes are introdnu between the jaws the latch r releases the; keeper 1 of the jaw 7 so that the jaw iefree" to follow the extra-motion imparted mnw bunching-reel by the wider tooth of ratchet-wheel r and the larger spur of spur-wheel 1'. As the jaw r is sup by the fixed arm 7', the jaw 1' has togiveil', the envelopes are gradually supplied to the space between the same, so that in connectlfll with the step by step forward motion of reel R, the jaw 1 is moved slowly away the latch r until when the last envelope supplied the release of the keeper 1 from latch r and the forward motion of the ing jaws take place. A spring-act check-pawl r engages ratchet-teeth arralllld at the circumference of the inner dish 1 prevents the bunching-reel from turn the direction opposite tothat indicat the arrow, as shown in Fig. 17. By the for ward motion of the reel the jaw 1' of the new pair of jaws is engaged by the latch r (I retained on a level with the bracket-plate)! The envelopes are then gradually fed ill-m jaws r and "r as described, while the in!! recedes more and more from the jaw r 011! to the step by step rotating motion of theieei and the fact that the jaw r is retained in v sition on a level with the bracket-plate L the latch r until a full bunch of envelope"! supplied to the jaws. The jaw T has ally moved inwardly so that it clears the In! v and moves forward with the reel R brilling the jaw r of the next pair against the latch, and so on. As the jaws filled with bunches of envelopes arrive at the outer! of the reel, a band is placed around M bunch by the attendant, who then remofl the bunch from the reel. As soon asabnnoll is removed, the jaws T5 and 0" form with each other, as shown in Fig. 17 new they arrive again at the brackebplate L are gradually filled with envelopes in flu manner before described.

The machine operates as followsz-Ajfll of blanks is placed on the table A after the same has been returned to its lowermost position by turning the gear-wheel a, after the pawl a has been withdrawn from the gearwheel a. Before the pile is placed in position, the front-gages a a are turned sidewise on their pivots in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 5, so that the pile can be introduced and pushed home against the reargages a. The top-gages a and the frontgages a are then placed in position, so that the pile of blanks is retained and the individual blanks prevented from shifting, while they can be readily taken up by the mucilags-pads. Motion is next imparted to the machine. The mucilage transferring-rollers are next passed over the faces of the mucilags-pads, the rollers taking up suflicient mucilage for this purpose from the rollers in the mucilage-fountains. As soon as the mueilage transferring-rollers are out of the way, the mucilage-pads are moved in downward direction until they form contact with the topmost blank on the pile and lift the same by the ascending motionof the pads, which is accomplished by the actuating-mechanism heretofore described until the pad arrives at a point slightly below the stripper C. The carrier D is then moved in forward direction below the blank, so that the stripper can drop the blank on the carrier as soon as the upward motion of the mucilage-pads is continued. The carrier D moves the blank in backward direction and places the same over the box of the creasing-mechanism ready for the action of the plunger, which on its descent bends up the flaps at right-angles to the body of the blank and transmits them to the folding-flaps which are arranged vertically below the creasing-box and which act on the creased flaps of the blank in quick succession, the folding-flaps turning down first one endfiap, then the opposite end-flap, then the lower gummed flap, and finally the sealing flap, the latter being prevented from adhering to the body of the envelope by the presser-frame by which the lower gum med flap is pressed down on the end-flaps so as to adhere to the same. During the downward motion of the plunger the creased blank is guided along the vertical hangers of the folding-flaps, which hangers are attached to the adjustable side-rails of the creasing'box, so that the blank cannot change its position until it arrives on the table and is ready to be folded by the hinged folding-flaps. When' the flaps are folded, the envelope is completed and ready to be transferred to the drying-reel which is accom plished by the tilting platform P, which is dropped into inclined position, a pusher-arm applied to the tilting platform serving to lift the envelope and compel it to slide along the inclined platform, so that it is transferred to the space between two adjacent arms of the intermittently rotating drying-reel. The en velopes are-taken by the arms of the dryingreel and conducted along a semi -circular hangers of thefolding-fiaps, while the latter guide-shell located at the lower part of the machine until they arrive in line with the horizontally-reciprocating pusher. the mucilage on the sealing-flap of the envelope is not dried during the time which is taken up by moving the same from the ingoing-end of the reel to the outgoing-end of the reel near the pusher, an artificial draft of air may be supplied, so that the drying of the mucilage is expedited. This can be arranged in any known and approved manner. The pusher transmits one envelope after another from the arms of the drying-reel to a horizontal bracket-plate and from the same to the jaws of the intermittently-rotating bunchingreel, one set of jaws taking up gradually twenty-five envelopes, upon which the next pair of jaws is locked to the bracket-plate and supplied with envelopes, and so on. As the jaws are filled with bunches of envelopes, the latter are provided with retaining-bands and removed from the jaws of the bunhing-reel. The essential new feature of our improved envelope-machine consists in the adj ustabil ity of all the operative parts of the same, so that the machine is adapted for making envelopes of any required size. For this purpose the gages for retaining the blanks on the table are made adjustable so as to hold any size of envelope, likewise the mucilagepads and the frame that supports the same, so that not only the angle formed by the mucilags-pads with each other but also the distance between the mucilage-pads can be readily adjusted. The sections of the stripper are correspondingly adjusted, both as to the angle inclosed by the same and as to their relative distance from each other. The reciprocating-carrier being guided on the adjustable side-rails of the creasing-box is adj usted with the same, while the stroke of the carrier is in proportion to the size of the blank. The creasing-box and plunger'are adjusted to any size of blank by the adj ustability of the side-rails of the creasing-box and of the extensible inner frame and side-plates of the plunger. With the side-rails of the creasing-box are simultaneously adjusted the supportingare adjusted by their auxiliary flaps and the adjustable presser-frame on the closing flap to any size of blank. The mechanism for actuating the folding flaps is adapted for ad- 120 justment to the different positions to which, the folding-flaps are adjusted, according to the ditferent sizes of envelopes to be made on the machine. The drying-reel-is also adapted for any size of envelope by the arrangement :2 5

of the adjustable extension-wires, so that envelopes of any size within certain limits can bereadily carried along by the drying-reel. The gage for the platform of the bunchingreel is similarly adjusted to the size of the x 0 envelope, so as to secure the regular bunching of the envelopes when they are taken up by the jaws of thebunching-reel. In this manner the envelope-machine can be used In case for making any odd sizes of envelopes which heretofore were made by hand, and for which it does not pay to build special machines, while it enables the manufacturer to produce any size of envelope, even if a comparatively small number is ordered, in a quicker and more uniform manner than the same could be furnished heretofore.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination, with. a table, having in wardly-extending recesses, said table being adapted to receive a pile of blanks, of mechanism for intermittently feeding the same, adjustable front and rear gages extending into the recesses of the table, and adjustable side-gages for retaining the blanks, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with atable adapted to receive a pile of blanks, said table having screwthreaded supporting-pillars, pinions having threaded hubs for engaging the pillars, a wheel meshing with both pinions, a crankpin attached to the under side of said gearwheel, a pawl engaging one of said pinions, a

- slide-piece engaging the shank of said pawl,

so that the same can be pushed back when it is desired to adjust the table by the gearwheel independently of its motion-transmitting mechanism, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a table forreceiving a pile of blanks, mechanism for intermitten tly feeding the same, adjustable rear-gages, adjustable side-gages that press on the top of the pile and adjustable f rout-gages, said frontgages being pivoted to adjustable supportingplates soas to be moved out of the way when a new pile is placed on the table, substantially as set forth.

4. A pad-supporting frame for envelopemachines composed of side-arms, main-pieces having middle portions, corresponding to the shape of the flaps, and means for adjusting the main-pieces on said arms, substantially as set forth.

5. A pad-supporting frame composed of slotted sidearms, main-pieces having V- shaped middle portions and made of two sections pivoted at the apex of the middle portion and set-screws for clamping the mainpieces to the slotted side-arms, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, of a table for supporting a pile of blanks, means for intermittently feeding the same, a vertically-reciprocating frame having adjustable main-pieces, mucilage-pads applied to said main-pieces, and a stationary stripper composed of a central web and adjustable stripper-bars applied to said web, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, With a table for supporting a pile of blanks, means for intermittently feeding the same, gages for holding said blanks in position on the table, a vertically-reciprocating frame composed of centrally-pivoted and adjustable main-pieces and mucilage-pads applied to saidframe main formed of adjustable sections,, substantially as set forth.

9. A stripper for envelope-machines comp posed of a central web or plate and sections corresponding to the shape of the flaps and adapted to be adjusted on the web, substantially as set forth.

10. A stripper for envelope-machines composed of a central plate or web, V-shaped and centrally-pivoted sections, slotted supportingstrips and set-screws for said strips, substam tially as set forth.

11. The combination, of a pad-supporting frame having adjustable main-pieces, mnci- 9o lage-pads applied thereto, m ucilage-fou ntains. arranged at opposite sides of the pad-supporting frame, feed-rollers in saidfountains, mu cilage-transferring rollers and mechanism for moving the transferring rollers simnltano- ,5 ously in opposite directions over the pads, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination, of a pad-supporting frame, having adjustable main-pieces, mncilage-pads applied thereto, m ucilage-fountains m arranged at opposite sides of the pads, feed rollers in said fountains, mucilage-transferring rollers, guide-frames for said rollers, a. 94

cam-shaft, and mechanism interposed between the cain-shaft and the guide-frames 0!. ms

the transferring-rollers, so as to move the same in opposite directions to each other over'the. pads, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination, of a table adapted to receive a pile of blanks, means for intermitno tently feeding the table, gages for the blanks on the table, a vertically reciprocating frame having adjustable main pieces, mucilage pads applied thereto, guide-rods attached to the pad-supporting frame, a cam-shaft, and. a; mechanism interposed between the camshaft and the guiderods of the padsupporting. frame, whereby a vertically reciprocating motion is imparted to the latter, substantiallyas set forth.

14. In an envelope-machine, a frame for supporting the mucilage-pads, said frame being. composed of slotted side arms, adj nstablm main-pieces having V-shaped middle-portions and formedof centrally-pivoted sections, and n5- set-screws for connecting the slotted arms; 1

with the mainpieces, substantially as set forth.

15. The combination, of a table adapted to.

eating frame having adjustable main-pieces; 

